Celebrates its 27th year at the Santa Barbara Mission

I Madonnari, the Italian street painting festival, is being celebrated this weekend through Monday at the Santa Barbara Mission.

The festival features 150 street painting squares on the pavement in front of the mission. With chalk, artists create vibrant and brilliant images.

The ever-popular Italian Market is also at the Santa Barbara Mission. Proceeds from the chalk festival benefit the Children's Creative Project, a non-profit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office. The event is free and open to the public.